We appreciate the interest shown in the Free Republic of Liberland and welcome the opportunity to clarify certain aspects of our nation-building efforts.
Original Express article: The tiny European micronation with its own currency and population of 63 | World | News | Express.co.uk
Liberland Is Not a Micronation
Contrary to some media portrayals, Liberland is not a “micronation.” The term “micronation” typically refers to entities that lack a defined territory, permanent population, or governmental structure. Liberland, established on April 13, 2015, claims a 7 km² area known as Gornja Siga, situated between Croatia and Serbia. Liberland’s territory is also not subject to the border dispute between the two countries, given that neither has been asserting sovereignty over it for the last few decades. This had rendered it terra nullius under international law until President Jedlička founded Liberland on it.
Governance and Legal Framework
We are not a democracy, we are a meritocracy. Liberland Merit (LLM) is not our currency, it is the political token, the voting instrument. We have chosen this model in order to acknowledge difference between the interests of people: those more interested in politics are presumed to exhibit higher competence, hence are given the opportunity to gain more relative power.
In order to use LLM for voting, you need to “politically pool” them, meaning you vest them on a very long schedule. This is to prevent opportunistic purchases of voting instrument and the concentration of power in the hands of a small rich elite.
Liberland operates under a constitutional framework inspired by classical liberal principles, emphasizing individual freedoms, limited government, and voluntary taxation. Our government comprises executive, legislative, and judicial branches, with officials elected through democratic processes. In October 2024, Liberland successfully conducted its first congressional elections entirely via blockchain technology, demonstrating our commitment to transparent and innovative governance.
Currency and Economic Vision
Liberland’s official currency is the “Liberland Dollar (LLD),” a cryptocurrency designed to facilitate secure and transparent transactions. It is based on the ideas of the economist Milton Friedman regarding an algorithmic central bank. While the Liberland Dollar should eventually serve as our primary medium of exchange, we recognize and accept other currencies to promote economic inclusivity - our reserves are in Bitcoin (BTC) and we are in fact historically the first country ever to accept BTC as its national reserve currency, even before El Salvador. In short: Our economic model aims to foster a free-market environment that encourages entrepreneurship and innovation. We have chosen for this thanks to the model’s great human rights record and proven economic effectiveness, as well as for its great moral qualities: this is the only way how a state can exist without taking money from its citizens by force. We are against stealing in all its forms.
International Relations and Recognition
While Liberland has not yet achieved formal recognition from United Nations member states, we have engaged in diplomatic discussions with several of them, as well as various entities and unrecognized states, such as Somaliland, to establish mutual cooperation.
Territorial Access and Development
Access to Liberland’s territory has been subject to restrictions imposed by neighboring countries. Despite these challenges, we continue to advocate for peaceful and lawful means to establish a permanent presence on our claimed land. Our efforts include environmental conservation, infrastructure development and community-building initiatives aimed at transforming Liberland into a thriving, sustainable nation.
Conclusion
Liberland represents a genuine endeavor to create a new nation grounded in the principles of liberty, transparency, and innovation. We invite individuals and governments alike to engage with us in constructive dialogue as we pursue our vision of a free and prosperous society.
For more information, please visit our official website: